Closet organization is not many people’s strong suit. Closets are the one place in a home where things get shoved when guests come over, and it’s safe to say items accumulate easily in these hidden corners of the home. If you’re anything like me, you rarely spend time cleaning and organizing your closet because let’s face it, who has time for that? Having a clean closet is beneficial for so many reasons – the number one being our sanity. A well-organized closet helps you come up with the perfect outfit especially on those mornings you’re running short on time.

Here are five foolproof tips to give yourself a clean, stress-free closet.

Color code your clothing. This one is self-explanatory. When you are looking for that one grey shirt you got from your aunt Betty for Christmas and can’t seem to find it anywhere, a color-coded closet is the perfect solution. Not only does color coding make finding clothes easier, but it looks refreshing and put together.

Invest in organizers. Trust me on this one. If you don’t have built-in shelves in your closet, we recommend you invest in some kind of organizer. These are perfect for your shoes, sweaters, pants, and other items you don’t have places for. One of our favorite and most handy organization tips is to take your old moving boxes and cover them with scrapbook paper or fabric and use them as bins for small, miscellaneous items. If space is an issue consider investing in a wardrobe box where you can fit three feet of hanger clothes from your closet in addition to out of season shoes and store in a basement or utility room until the seasons change.

Flip your hangers. Do you have too many clothes? Is it hard for you to get rid of the clothes you don’t wear? After you have organized, color coded, or categorized your closet, you can start the downsizing process. This trick will help solve your crowded closet problems. Flip all of your hangers backwards for a certain time period (usually three or four months does the trick). After you wear something hang it back up facing the normal direction. At the end of the three or four months, get rid of the clothes whose hangers are still backwards. If you’re still unsure about tossing certain clothes, ask yourself if you would buy it again today.

Clean your closet. Once your closet is sorted and organized, take time to deep clean it. Just because it looks nice doesn’t mean it’s clean. Vacuum or mop the bottom of your closet and take a rag and wipe down the walls. Most likely you will find dust bunnies on the bottom of your closet. Spending time deep cleaning your closet will add that extra sparkle as a finishing touch.

These simple steps should be a helpful guide to get your closet in tip-top shape in no time. If anything, hopefully this post inspired and motivated you to go through your closets and get organized. This winter has consisted of brutal temperatures and icy roads, organizing your closets could be the perfect cure to your cabin fever!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.

]]>http://blog.twomenandatruck.com/2015/02/23/organizing-your-not-so-organized-closet/feed/0moverswhoblogTMATSPRING2013140-2627556146-OLaunch your career with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®http://blog.twomenandatruck.com/2015/02/16/launch-your-career-with-two-men-and-a-truck/
http://blog.twomenandatruck.com/2015/02/16/launch-your-career-with-two-men-and-a-truck/#commentsMon, 16 Feb 2015 13:09:05 +0000http://blog.twomenandatruck.com/?p=2584]]>Written by Nicole Harrison

After two successful years, Career Move Month is underway for the third consecutive year. During this special month dedicated to hiring, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® looks for talented applicants all over the United States to fill various positions within the company including managers, movers, drivers, marketing and sales coordinators, and customer service representatives. Throughout March, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® will heavily recruit talented individuals to become part of franchise teams all over the country. This year, our goal is to receive 10,000 applications and hire 1,000 new employees across the system. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK has grown for over 60 months consecutively and is looking for talented people to join and grow with us. The career opportunities are top notch and endless whether you are just beginning your career or are an experienced professional.

“The objective of Career Move Month is to raise awareness about the opportunities which exist with in our ever-expanding network of locations and growing corporate office. We want people to recognize how TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® truly moves people forward by offering diverse opportunities for steadyemployment, career advancement, and franchising.” —Sara Bennett TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Human Resources Director

Seventy five percent of our managers started out as frontline employees and were able to transition into management roles seamlessly. Do you have the desire to make the move from your current position to something more fulfilling? Apply now and get a head start on the hiring process!

Interviewing for a job can be a nerve-wracking experience. No matter how many times you practice your pitch, talking about yourself for an extended period of time can be uncomfortable. At TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®, our core purpose is to move people forward, including helping you land your dream job!

To officially kick off Career Move Month, here is a list of interview tips to make you stand out from the other candidates.

Make eye contact. Making eye contact with your interviewer is a great way to show off your confidence (even if you’re shaking in your boots). Eye contact is polite and very sincere when you’re talking with someone. In addition to making eye contact, make sure you smile! J We’re happy to see you’re enjoying yourself, and love to see your personable demeanor, too.

Have a firm handshake. No one likes to shake a limp hand. Male or female, it’s important to show off a professional, firm handshake to your interviewer. If you’re uncomfortable, practice by shaking family members’ and friends’ hands to get the grip just right without shaking their hands too hard.

Research the company. Know the company you are interviewing with. More times than not, your interviewer will ask you questions about the company and knowing recent or upcoming events, and general information will get you a long way. It shows you are genuinely interested and invested in the company and position.

Show up early. Arrive 10-15 minutes early to your interview. There is a fine line when it comes to punctuality. You don’t want to arrive too early, and you definitely don’t want to be late — your interviewer’s time is valuable. If you’re not sure how long it will take you to get to your interview, we recommend driving there the day before to have a better idea how long it will take you to get there.

Silence your phone. Always silence your phone or better yet, turn it off. You don’t want to receive a phone call during your interview. Turning off your phone is a respectable solution and you won’t have to worry about a text, email, phone call, or alert going off.

Dress professionally. Have you heard the saying dress to impress? That cliché has special meaning when referring to job interviews. No matter how casual the dress code is, always look and dress your best. Also, get plenty of rest the night before. Yes, we can tell when you’re exhausted or just enjoyed a late-night party!

Take this advice and rock your next interview! Who knows, it could be with us!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! If you are looking for a career change that is extremely rewarding, consider TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®. For more helpful tips and information on us, like us on Facebook.

]]>http://blog.twomenandatruck.com/2015/02/16/launch-your-career-with-two-men-and-a-truck/feed/0moverswhoblogTMAAT423-2258115151-OTwo Men and a TruckCMM2014_FBCoverA big move and even bigger changehttp://blog.twomenandatruck.com/2015/02/09/a-big-move-and-even-bigger-change/
http://blog.twomenandatruck.com/2015/02/09/a-big-move-and-even-bigger-change/#commentsMon, 09 Feb 2015 16:41:20 +0000http://blog.twomenandatruck.com/?p=2548]]>Written by Nicole Harrison

Moving is a difficult time in many people’s lives. Imagine moving after living in a home for more than 30 years. You have deep roots in your home and within your community. Your family grew up there, and essentially you’ve built a life in your home. All of your fondest memories and special milestones were made there. Could you ever say goodbye?

Byron and Jo Anne lived in their family home for 38 years. After raising their two children, they decided it was time to downsize and move into a condo closer to their kids and grandkids, which was just a few hours from their long-time home. I was able to meet Byron and Jo Anne during their recent move and chat with them about their moving and downsizing experience.

After decades in one home, it’s no t uncommon to collect both investment pieces and useless clutter without even realizing it. Imagine living in a home as long as Byron and Jo Anne did. For them, the most difficult part of the move was the de-cluttering and downsizing process.

“After living in our home for so long, getting rid of items we’ve accumulated over the years was the hardest,” said Byron.

I have a feeling most people in their situation would have to agree.

Curious, I asked them if it was difficult to say goodbye to their home they lived in for so long and created so many memories in.

“The memories we made weren’t attached to the actual house.” Byron said smiling, “The memories were more about the kids, their friends, and other family members. We still have the memories – and of course lots of photos! A lot of the furniture and pictures came with us.”

Byron told me the most difficult part of their downsizing process was decision-making. Determining what to keep and what to get rid of is always the hardest part. Byron and Jo Anne made a good team and worked together while making decisions on what to keep and what to get rid of.

“I would say we got rid of about one third of the household-type possessions. Our kids took some of them and we donated a lot to thrift stores,” Byron said. “A majority of the stuff of which we disposed were paper products like newspapers and magazines we’ve collected over the years. Also, a lot of it was the kids’ stuff we’ve collected over the years.”

Once Byron and Jo Anne listed their house, they started de-cluttering and getting rid of small knickknacks. They did their best to donate all the items they could before throwing them into a landfill. Throughout the downsizing process they remained sensitive to the environment. They were even able to leave a few of the larger items for the young couple who bought their home.

As we know, downsizing can be a daunting and emotional process. Luckily, Byron and Jo Anne gave one crucial piece of advice for couples who are looking to downsize. Start early. Start today. Start right now.

It’s smart to go through your home a few times a year and clean out what needs to go and make room for new items. Even if you’re not downsizing, it will save you from living in a cluttered home.

Ultimately, Byron and Jo Anne moved to be closer to their family. They have always lived on a busy street, so locating to a quieter area was on the top of their list when searching for condos. They are looking forward to seeing what the future holds for them in their new home.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.

So, you’ve just said, “I do.” You’re ready to head into a lifetime of happy, wedded bliss with your spouse, and begin making memories you’ll cherish forever. However, before you begin planning your first family vacation, you need to move into your new home. For many this is the first hurdle in the relationship, and can be a difficult, stressful time.

Moving in with your spouse for the first time is a thrilling yet nerve-wracking experience. Being a newlywed is supposed to be one of the happiest times of your life. Before you find yourself drifting out of the honeymoon state, consider doing the following to make your move as seamless and stress-free as possible:

Out with the old and in with the new. Before move day, take an inventory of everything the two of you have, and make a list of things you want to keep and what you can get rid of. Chances are you will have duplicates of some items, and taking inventory will prevent you from moving unwanted duplicates. In addition to avoiding duplicates, an inventory exercise prevents you from moving into a cluttered new home.

If you are packing your own stuff, organize and re-organize. Pack your boxes with similar items from the same room. If you have small hardware from furniture or decorative pieces, put them in zip lock bags and label them. Baggies keep the small, easy to lose items kept together in one place. Also, labeling and color coding your boxes will make the move much smoother. Moving as newlyweds is an exciting time, you don’t want to cause unneeded frustration with your spouse because you can’t find certain items.

If you are moving to a new area, consider renting before buying. By renting, you are not committing to anything right away, and it allows you and your spouse to get to know the area, ensuring you will like your new town before becoming a permanent resident. Keep in mind, if you’re moving from an apartment, or condensing into one apartment with your spouse, our move crews are familiar with apartment complex rules and regulations, such as parking arrangements and service elevators in high rise buildings. Let us do the heavy lifting up and down those pesky flights of stairs or through those narrow hallways.

If you are ordering household items, because no one bought you that Keurig or Pottery Barn duvet set you had on your registry, have these items shipped to your new home several days after you move in. This will avoid moving the items twice if they arrive before your move day and will save you from chaos if they are sent to your new home on the day of the move.

Have a decor in mind so you can get on top of your interior decorating right after you move in. However, don’t get too stuck on a design. Be open to ideas and be willing to work with your partner to make each room decorated with a blend of both styles. Remember, the key to a happy marriage is compromise!

Most importantly, leave the actual moving to the professionals. Hire a moving company. Not only will this save you the heartache of finding your new china piece dining set in a shattered mess because it wasn’t packed properly, but it will save you from a heated argument with your spouse over who packed that box. This is a busy period in your life, let us help make your move a fun transition in your new lives together. Look for companies seen frequently within your community. This will illustrate the company is a credible organization with a strong reputation.

Now go, begin this next chapter of your life. Enjoy your new, clutter-free, perfectly decorated, and professionally moved new home.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®is the first and largest moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.

Picture this: Its moving day. The day you’ve been obsessing over for weeks. You have packed and organized and then reorganized. The movers have pulled up and started loading the truck. Half way into your move you are told they can’t move some of your items you have packed up. You think to yourself, “so much for a perfect move.” Frantically you start emptying boxes trying to find a way to transport the non-moveable items to your new home.

There are laws prohibiting moving companies from moving certain items for you. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® wants to help you avoid this scenario by sharing exactly what items moving companies will not move, also known as non-allowables. Safety is a priority at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®. We want our workers and all of your belongings to be safe and protected. There are four categories of non-allowables you should be aware of before your move.

Perishable items

These items cannot be moved by TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®, or other moving companies, for a variety of reasons. Perishable items can rot, smell, and spoil in the truck. We recommend planning meals a few weeks out from your move to be sure you have eaten all perishable items. If you still have some at the time of your move, you will be responsible for transporting them or giving them away. Perishable items include fresh foods, frozen foods, refrigerated foods, and produce.

Living things

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® does not transport any living things. Whether you have a plant, pet, or both. Depending on the weather, the trucks can get very hot or cold inside. In addition to the sometimes extreme temperatures, there is a lack of air flow in the trucks which can be harmful for your plants and furry friends.

Hazardous materials

No matter the circumstance, moving companies will not move any flammable, explosive, or corrosive items for you. If you want your lawn mower, weed wacker, or snow blower (or other machines that run with gasoline) moved, it is your responsibility to empty the machines. Examples of hazardous materials include fertilizer, fireworks, fire extinguishers, batteries, household cleaners, weed killer, gasoline, and propane tanks. *For a complete list of hazardous materials we will not move, contact the franchise you will be moving with.

Personal items

Personal belongings have a lot of sentimental value and have different levels of importance to our customers. We do not move prescription drugs for a few reasons. We would never want to pack anything on the truck that our customer may need if they suffer from a life-threating illness. It’s best if the customer keeps their medications with them during the move. The American Moving and Storage Industry recommends that you “take valuables with you. Cash, coins, jewelry, photographs, and important papers should be taken with you or sent ahead separately.” Moving companies will not move firearms, fine jewelry, keys to safes, and other sentimental items of high importance and value to you. If you have items you can’t live without, we recommend keeping them with you during your move. *If you have questions about what personal or sentimental items we can’t move for you, call the franchise you are moving with.

The four categories listed above are examples of items not permitted on the moving trucks. In order to avoid dealing with last minute conflicts, it’s important to be aware and either move these items yourself or dispose of them properly before your move. Develop a plan ahead of time so you are prepared for your move.

Note: It’s important to understand franchises might have different policies and may or may not move certain items. Contact the franchise you will be moving with for a complete list of non-allowables.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help you move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.

]]>http://blog.twomenandatruck.com/2015/01/26/a-guide-what-movers-wont-move/feed/0moverswhoblogMoving with petsTWO MEN AND A TRUCK® lives Giving Back to the Community core valuehttp://blog.twomenandatruck.com/2015/01/19/two-men-and-a-truck-lives-giving-back-to-the-community-core-value/
http://blog.twomenandatruck.com/2015/01/19/two-men-and-a-truck-lives-giving-back-to-the-community-core-value/#commentsMon, 19 Jan 2015 19:03:54 +0000http://blog.twomenandatruck.com/?p=2521]]>Written by Lindsay Dow

Giving back to the community is where our hearts lie. So much in fact, that we not only developed one charitable program to support those in need, we created FIVE. One national program that every franchise in our 38 states run during the spring months, and four optional programs our franchises can run locally during the fall season.

Each of these programs consist of the same concept: give back to a specific group of people in need, in our local communities.

Being the Movers Who Care®, and having access to critical resources such as movers to do the heavy lifting, and trucks to do the hauling, it just makes sense!

Here’s what we do:

Movers for Moms®: Our national program that runs each spring, from March to May. This program gives back to mothers in need! Franchises partner with local businesses, organizations, and schools to collect essential care items for mothers living in homeless or domestic abuse shelters locally. Items collected depend on what the shelters need, however they often range from soaps and shampoos, to child care necessities.

Movers for Meals: This food collection effort runs each fall and collects food for local pantries and homeless shelters. It is coordinated the same way as our Movers for Moms® collection. Franchises partner with local businesses, organizations, and schools for a specific period of time, sort, box, and deliver all items to their recipient partner.

Movers for Military: We are proud to give back to our veterans and local military families! This program is run in local markets and franchises partner with schools, businesses, and organizations to collect essential, everyday items Veteran’s need most. This program runs each fall, and donations are delivered to homeless Veteran’s shelters and families in need around the time of Veteran’s Day.

Movers for Mutts: We also care about our furry friends. When franchises run this program each fall, they partner with local pet shops, businesses, and schools to collect items shelters need most to care for homeless animals.

Truckload of Warmth:This program is popular among the cold-weather states! This fall program entails collecting warm, new and gently-used clothing for homeless shelters and rescue missions locally. Franchises partner with the community and deliver these items to the recipient shelters just in time for the cold weather to hit.

In 2014, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® was proud to deliver more than 220,000 items to mothers in need across the country through the Movers for Moms effort! The four fall charitable programs collected thousands of items for Veterans, pets, and those in need around the country!

We can’t wait to kick off the Movers for Moms® program in March! If you’re interested in becoming a collection partner, please visit twomenandatruck.com to reach out to the franchise closest to you. Or, email movers4moms@twomen.com.

Check out the Movers for Moms® Facebookpage for up to date information on this popular program!

At TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® we are very grateful to everyone who has donated to these programs and have allowed us to help others in need. Contact your local TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® location to learn how you can help your community.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on movine services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.

You’ve decided to downsize. After finding the perfect place and closing on your new home, oftentimes the panic starts to set in. Thoughts start racing through your mind as you lay awake at night wondering what you’re going to do with all your stuff. You have so many treasured items you’ve been holding on to for years, now you’re asking yourself “keep it or trash it?”

As you start the downsizing process, it is recommended you make a concerted effort to work on one room at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed. As you begin assessing and sorting through your household items, keep three categories in mind: save, donate, or throw away.

Questions to ask yourself

We have created a few questions to help make your downsizing plans go as smoothly as possible. When sorting through items stored in various areas of your home, ask yourself the following questions:

Do I love it? Have I used/worn it in the last six months?

Does it have sentimental value?

Am I keeping it out of obligation or expectation?

Is it broken? If yes, is it fixable?

Do I own more than one of these?

Asking yourself these simple questions should give you some guidelines when going through your items. How you answer these questions will give you a more definite idea as to whether you want to save, donate, or throw away items. Remember, if you find yourself keeping something “just in case,” it’s a good indication you should donate it or put it in storage.

Measure your furniture

In addition to sorting through smaller items, you need to reassess the “big” stuff. Measure your furniture and large decorative pieces such as sculptures, paintings, etc. Get the measurements of your new rooms to be sure your current furniture will fit. Before moving into your new home, create a mock layout of each room. Use the furniture and room dimensions to ensure your large items will fit. Creating a mock layout is a terrific way to evaluate your furniture and to decide if you will keep it or buy new.

If you find yourself getting rid of numerous household items, consider hosting a yard sale! Getting extra cash from your old stuff is always nice! Yard sales are great incentives for household owners to part with more items.

Storing your items

Once you have downsized and completed your move, you may be challenged with a lack of storage space in your new home. Take advantage of the nooks and crannies your home may have. These hidden spaces, such as under a staircase or odd-sized closets, can be transformed into storage spaces. Both are great places to build shelving units. Shelves are one of the best ways to store a variety of items, and you can even add decorative bins to shelving units to group together smaller items that are hard to store — while dressing the shelf up! Another great place to utilize for extra storage is under your bed. Invest in long, skinny containers that you can slide under your bed, as this storage spot is perfect for those “someday” items. Finally, invest in an ottoman that has a removable top where you can store blankets or other household items. Ottomans are a terrific asset that have multiple uses.

Oftentimes, downsizing creates a headache and a whole lot of stress no one wants to add to their daily lives. With these pointers, we are hoping it will help make your downsizing process go as smoothly as possible.

At TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®we realize moving needs are unique for every customer, so we’re ready to customize a move to ensure the best moving experience. Our uniformed movers and drivers participate in extensive training; they are permanent employees and undergo background checks and drug testing. They are committed to exceeding expectations and ensuring your move is completed efficiently to keep your moving costs affordable.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For additional tips and information on moving or packing services, subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.

The ice, the snow, the cold winter. This is possibly the worst time to move, right? Wrong! Moving during the winter presents a unique set of challenges, but it’s manageable with a few extra precautions.

Use these seven winter moving tips to make sure you and your belongings arrive at your new home safely:

Get help. Hiring a professional moving company is imperative this time of year. Invest in a quality move team instead of trying to do everything on your own will minimize your time in the cold, decrease your risk of frostbite or injury, and avoid the chance of a friend or family member losing their footing in rougher conditions. Deciding what moving company you want and trust to move your valuable possessions can be difficult. Make sure to do your research when selecting your movers by verifying their reputation for high customer service and a track record that supports it.

Clear the path. Take time to shovel or plow the driveways and sidewalks at both your old location and your new location. It’s easy to misjudge stairs and drop-offs when they’re obscured by snow. Taking a few extra moments to clear the way will make moving easier and safer for your crew.

Watch the weather. The temperature can change quickly in the winter. What starts as slush can turn to ice within a few hours. It also gets dark earlier in the winter, so plan trips to and from the new location accordingly.

Carry emergency supplies. There are plenty of small unplanned challenges which are a natural part of the moving process, but don’t let snow or ice be one of them. Whether you drive your own vehicle or rent a moving truck, ice and snow on the road may get in your way. You can get yourself unstuck quickly if you carry a shovel and salt or sand. It’s also wise to keep a vehicle emergency kit, water, snacks, and blankets handy just in case.

Layer up. It’s important to dress warmly, even though you will be working hard on moving day. Consider wearing layers you can peel off as necessary. It’s better to start with too many clothes on than to deal with being cold all day. Make sure your ensemble includes a hat and warm gloves.

Wipe it down. Keep old rags and towels handy to wipe away the snow, salt, sand, and dirt which will likely get caked to your shoes and your moving containers. This will not only protect your belongings but will also keep the floors at your new location clean and dry.

Raise a glass. Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean you won’t sweat. Stay hydrated by drinking water throughout the moving process. It’s also a nice gesture to provide warm drinks or water for your crew to enjoy during or after the move (coffee, tea, or hot chocolate are inexpensive and will be much appreciated by your friends, neighbors, or professional movers).

With a few extra precautions, moving during the winter can be easy and safe. If you feel overwhelmed, remember this: At least it isn’t hot!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mariah Obiedzinski is a freelance blogger for USCargoControl.com, an e-commerce company specializing in moving supplies for both professional and DIY movers.

Does the thought of tearing down your holiday decorations stress you out? Consider this a pay-it-forward pursuit, and set yourself up for success for next year’s decorating efforts by packing up properly now. This goal alone will keep you motivated and prevent you from hastily and randomly stowing your things in bins and boxes. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® has some helpful tips and tricks to make storing your holiday decorations easier.

Get organized – Before commencing the pack-up process, take some extra time to sort your items. Once your holiday décor and related materials are sorted, boxing them up will go much more quickly. TWOMEN AND A TRUCK® has a variety of boxes tailored to your packing needs. Some unique boxes include a dish pack box with inserts for your Christmas tree ornaments. You can adjust the inserts to the desired size making it perfect for the large and small ornaments. We also recommend using the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® dish pack box to store gift-wrapping supplies. The full instructions to utilize the box are here.

Manage lights and garlands — As you coil delicate lights and garlands, take extra care since they tend to tangle easily. Repurpose an old paper towel roll or a piece of cardboard and wrap the lights around it.

Protect the bows – Christmas ribbons and bows are commonly the items which get damaged the most in storage. To prevent them from warping and wrinkling, cut cardboard tubes and wrap them with paper towels so they fit snugly inside. Then place all the bows flat in a box together to ensure they lay flat and smooth amongst heavier items.

Label everything – Nothing is more frustrating than searching through box after box looking for one specific item. Make this process less frustrating and time-consuming by labeling items found in each box. To make the unpacking effort a breeze the following year, consider labeling the boxes in the order they should be opened. Choose the order that makes the most sense for your natural holiday set-up plan (e.g., room by room).

Protect Christmas linens – Christmas linens are commonly forgotten items when considering your Christmas storage plan, but if you take a little extra time to store them, it will prevent nasty surprises next year. First it’s important to pack them in a proper storage container like a suitcase or a waterproofed box to protect them from moisture. Then, place your favorite scented dryer sheet in-between the linens. This will repel moths while keeping them fresh and smelling wonderful for next year. This process only takes a couple minutes, and your guests will love the extra care.

Breakable Items — Christmas plates, platters, ornaments, and other breakables need to be handled with care. No one wants to open their Christmas decorations next year and find half of their ornaments broken, so it’s imperative you pack them well. The most important tip to remember is to wrap the breakables with a few layers of newspaper, paper towel or whatever padding in which you choose to wrap your items. It’s never a bad idea to put layers of extra cushion between your items to ensure more padding.

Hire moving muscle – Are you not looking forward to moving the heavier items back to their spots? Give us a call to schedule your internal move. We are happy to rearrange any heavy furniture as our movers are professionally trained and will move the same piece until you are happy with its final resting place.

Do you have any packing tips which have saved you from the hassle and time-consuming storing process? If so, please comment below to share your ideas with us; we’ll incorporate your best practices into future blogs. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is here to move you forward with any packing tips and challenges you may have.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.

]]>http://blog.twomenandatruck.com/2014/12/30/store-holiday-decorations-with-ease/feed/0moverswhoblogIMG_9579Merry Christmas from TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®http://blog.twomenandatruck.com/2014/12/24/merry-christmas-from-two-men-and-a-truck/
http://blog.twomenandatruck.com/2014/12/24/merry-christmas-from-two-men-and-a-truck/#commentsWed, 24 Dec 2014 17:55:39 +0000http://blog.twomenandatruck.com/?p=2500]]>Written by Claire Schneider

Wishing you a heartwarming Christmas season with your friends and families! From your friends at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®

We truly appreciate all of our customers and think of you as one of the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® family. Thank you for allowing and trusting us with your possessions and helping you to the next move forward in your life.

Our post-move survey stats indicates that 96 percent refer our brand to friends and family. We are so grateful to receive this level of loyalty, and this season, like those past, is a time to reflect on and give thanks for this incredible blessing – along with so many more.

Without you and the communities we serve, we wouldn’t be the “Movers Who Care®”. We hope you’ve settled in since your move and hope you enjoy a very Merry Christmas!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.